Podcasts by But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

But Why Live: Trees from 2020-06-13T12:30

In this special live episode learned about trees and tree communication with scientists Alexia Constantinou and Katie McMahen of the Listen

But Why Live: Kid Press Conference with Governor Phil Scott from 2020-06-06T12:30

In this special live episode we held a kid press conference with Vermont Governor Phil Scott. You can listen to But Why Live at vpr.org and call-in every Friday at 1 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time t...

Why Do Spiders Have Eight Legs? from 2020-06-05T12:30

Why don't spiders stick to their own webs? How do spiders walk up walls and on ceilings without falling? Why do spiders have eight legs and eight eyes? How do they make webs? And silk? What's a ...

But Why Live: Words and Language from 2020-05-30T12:30

In this special live episode we learn about words and language with linguist John McWhorter, host of the podcast Lexicon Valley. You can listen to But Why live at vpr.org and call-in every Frida...

But Why Live: Space Exploration from 2020-05-23T12:30

In this special live episode we learn about space and space exploration with Jim Green, NASA's Chief Scientist. You can listen to But Why live at vpr.org and call-in every Friday at 1 p.m. Easte...

But Why Live: Poetry from 2020-05-16T12:10

In this special live episode we learn about poetry and writing with Poetry Guy Ted Scheu, Rajnii Eddins, and we hear your poems! Get your pencils ready; we’ll be doing some fun writing exercises...

But Why Live: Poetry from 2020-05-16T12:10

In this special live episode we learn about poetry and writing with Poetry Guy Ted Scheu, Rajnii Eddins, and we hear your poems! Get your pencils ready; we’ll be doing some fun writing exercises as...

But Why Live: Bats and Beavers from 2020-05-09T12:30

In this special live episode, we learn about bats and beavers! First up, all about bats with Barry Genzlinger of Vermont Bat Center. Then, we learn about the industrious beaver with wildlife bio...

Where Does The Sky End? from 2020-05-08T12:27

Where is the border between sky and space? That's what 5-year-old Matthias of Durham, New Hampshire wants to know. Allesandra, 3 of Bella Vista, Arkansas wants to know why we can't hold air. We'...

Circle Round: The Fallen Sparrow from 2020-05-01T19:00

We're sharing a new episode from one of our favorite podcasts, Circle Round. Jane Lindholm co-stars with Molly Bloom (Brains On!, Smash Boom Best) as twin sisters who reap what they sow in this ...

Why Do Cookies Taste Better With Salt? And Other Cooking Questions from 2020-04-24T12:00

We head to the kitchen to answer cooking and food questions. Why does food taste better with salt? Why do we need salt to make sweet things like cookies? Why do seasonings taste good in food but...

Why Do Baby Teeth Fall Out? from 2020-04-10T12:30

We're talking about teeth with a friendly dentist! How do teeth become loose? Why do our baby teeth fall out? Why do people only have two sets of teeth? Why don't babies have teeth when they're ...

'Are Llamas Ticklish?' And Other Silly Questions from 2020-03-27T16:57

We're answering 9 questions that put a smile on our faces, and we hope they make you chuckle, too. Plus, you might actually learn something from some of the answers!

Are llamas ticklish?...

Brave Little State: Tips From A Homeschooling, Remote-Working Mom from 2020-03-25T01:14

We’re sharing an episode of a Vermont Public Radio's Brave Little State. We know many of you are experiencing some changes now that schools in lots of states and countries are closed to slow the...

Coronavirus For Kids, And The Science Of Soap from 2020-03-13T20:31

As COVID-19 spreads across the globe, the World Health Organization has declared the novel coronavirus a pandemic. We’re answering questions about the virus with infectious disease doctor Krutik...

Why Do People Have Nightmares? from 2020-02-28T15:43

Why do people dream? Why do people have nightmares? How do dreams happen? Can people who are blind can see in their dreams? We're listening back to our episode about dreams with psychiatrist Dr....

How Do We Fall Asleep? from 2020-02-14T12:30

Why do people need to sleep? How do we actually go to sleep? How does sleeping get rid of toxins in the brain? And how come when it's nighttime I don't want to go to sleep but when it's morning ...

What Happens When A President Is Impeached? from 2020-02-06T01:29

Curious kids are hearing about the impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump. So But Why is helping them understand what impeachment is and what happens when a president is impeached. We'll...

Do Animals Get Married? from 2020-01-17T15:23

Do animals get married? Do they fall in love and have friends? Do they laugh when they're happy and cry when they're sad? When you talk to your pets, can they understand you? Why can't they spea...

Why Do Lions Roar? from 2020-01-03T19:09

Why do lions roar? Why do crickets chirp? Why do bucks shed their antlers every year? How can porcupines and hedgehogs avoid poking themselves? Do fish pee? What is the fastest fish? What do jel...

How Do We Taste Food? from 2019-12-20T12:37

Why do we like to eat certain foods? Why do some people like to eat spicy food? And what's up with kids not liking vegetables? Why does pineapple hurt your mouth when you eat too much of it? Why...

Why Are Some Words 'Bad'? from 2019-12-06T12:28

In this episode, we tackle why some words are "bad". Plus: Why do people say bad words? Why aren't kids allowed to say cuss words? Why is the middle finger bad? And adults, don't worry, we won't...

Ice, Ice, Baby: Why Is Ice Slippery? from 2019-11-22T12:44

How does water turn into ice? Why is ice sometimes slippery and other times sticky? Why is it so cold? Why does it float? How are icicles made? Why are icebergs mostly underwater? What was the i...

How Do Meteorologists Predict The Weather? from 2019-11-08T18:09

How do weather people predict the weather and know what's going to happen tomorrow? Why is a meteorologist called a meteorologist? We learn about weather forecasting with National Weather Servic...

Are Unicorns Real? from 2019-10-25T16:04

Are unicorns real? Who made them up? Where do they come from? What do they eat, how big are they, and do they have rainbow manes? We're answering all of your questions about unicorns-and learnin...

Are Jellyfish Made Of Jelly? from 2019-10-11T16:35

In this episode we're answering a few short questions about animals! Are jellyfish made of jelly? Do fish stink in the water or on land? Where do fish sleep? Do chickens have tongues? Can spider...

Why Do We Have To Go To School? from 2019-09-27T11:30

Why does school exist? When did kids start going, and why is it mandatory? Why are there 12 grades in school? Why do we call teachers by their last names? In this episode, we get schooled on sch...

How Are Noodles Made? from 2019-09-13T17:24

This week, we answer a question from 4-year-old Hugo in Burlington, Vt. Hugo wants to know how noodles are made. But he's about to get more than he bargained for!

For this episode we vis...

How Is Paper Made? from 2019-08-30T20:10

How is paper made from trees? Why does paper fall apart when it gets wet? Why does it lose color in the sun? Who invented paper? We make a few sheet of paper and learn all about how it's made wi...

What Do Mosquitoes Do In Winter? from 2019-08-16T11:30

This episode is all about bugs! We've gotten a lot of questions from you about insects and other critters. So we're tackling them with the help of Jessica Honaker and Kristie Reddick, otherwise ...

Why Do Earthquakes Happen? from 2019-08-02T17:29

Why do earthquakes happen? How do the tectonic plates move underground? How do we stay safe during an earthquake? Why are continents so far apart? Why do buildings sometimes catch fire after ear...

How Do Circuits Work? from 2019-07-19T12:00

How do circuits work? How do electric plugs work? Why do some things conduct electricity and some things do not? How does a battery make a phone work? How do lights turn on? Where do electrons g...

What Is Electricity? from 2019-07-05T13:11

Where does electricity come from? What is electricity made of? Who invented it? How does electricity work? What are electrons made of? Electrical Engineer Paul Hines answers our questions, in pa...

Why Do Trains Run On Tracks? from 2019-06-21T20:10

How do trains work? What about electric trains? Steam trains? Bullet trains? Why do they have to go on tracks? How can trains go so fast even though they're so heavy? And why don’t trains have s...

Why Are Boys Boys And Girls Girls? from 2019-06-07T11:30

This week we're answering questions about gender. We've gotten a lot of questions about the differences between boys and girls so we're tackling them with Vanderbilt anthropologist Anna Catesby ...

How Do Mussels Get Their Shells? from 2019-05-24T18:51

We're heading to the coast of Maine to learn a little bit about why the sea is salty and how mussels get their shells with Zach Whitener, a research associate at the Gulf of Maine Research Insti...

Why Am I Afraid Of The Dark? from 2019-05-10T11:25

Lots of people are afraid of the dark, including many kids who have shared that fear with us. In today's episode we explore the fear of the dark with Daniel Handler, better known as Lemony Snick...

Why Is Sugar Bad For You? from 2019-04-26T15:10

Why do we need to eat and how does food give us energy? Why do you have to eat vegetables? Why does junk food taste so good? So many questions about food and nutrition. We get answers from Wesle...

"Do Skunks Like Their Own Smell?" And Other Stumpers! from 2019-04-12T19:12

Today, 10 questions with one answer in common: "That's a good question!" We've picked 10 stumpers, like: Why don't we suffocate in cars when we're driving? How do we know where our mouths are? W...

Who Makes The Laws? from 2019-03-29T15:29

Who makes the laws? That's what 5-year-old Paxton from Kelowna, British Columbia wants to know! We learn about laws with Mike Doyle of the Canadian organization Civix, and Syl Sobel, author of H...

Still Funny: Why Do We Laugh? from 2019-03-15T15:42

Why do we laugh? Why do you feel ticklish when someone tickles you? Why can't you tickle yourself? In this episode, originally from 2018, we learn about how humor develops with Gina Mireault of ...

How Is But Why Made? What Is Sound? from 2019-03-01T14:51

In this episode of But Why, we're answering your questions about...us! Why do you make But Why? How are podcasts made? And we're answering questions about the physics of sound and radio. What is...

Why Is There A Big Patch Of Garbage In The Pacific Ocean? from 2019-02-15T15:42

Why is there a big patch of garbage in the Pacific Ocean? Four-year-old Leon has heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and he wants to know what the deal is. So we speak with someone who's ac...

Why Do Elephants Have Trunks? Why Do Giraffes Have Purple Tongues? from 2019-02-01T19:02

We're exploring two different animals in today's episode. One has a long neck and the other has a long trunk! We'll answer: Why are elephants so big? How do their trunks work? Why do they have t...

Why Do Days Start At 12 O'Clock? from 2019-01-18T16:51

How was time created? How did one minute become 60 seconds and one hour became 60 minutes? Why is time segmented into 12-hour periods? How do clocks work? Why is a year 365 days? Why is there an...

Why Do We Sometimes See The Moon During The Day? from 2019-01-04T22:18

Why does the moon change shape? How much does the moon weigh? What color is the moon? Why does the Earth only have one moon? Why does the moon have holes? Where does the moon go when we can't se...

What Is It Like To Be An Adult? from 2018-12-21T20:18

What is it like to be an adult? It's a big question from a young mind! We invited adults who listen to share their perspectives and Nora McInerny, host of the podcast Terrible, Thanks for Asking...

Why Do We Poop And Fart? from 2018-12-07T16:56

How does your body make poop? How many germs are in an ounce of poop? Why do people fart and why are farts stinky? Look, everybody does it, so today we're going to tackle one of the areas kids s...

Circle Round: 'Armadillo's Song' from 2018-11-20T20:43

This week, instead of a normal episode, we're bringing you an episode from one of our podcast friends, Circle Round, from WBUR in Boston. Circle Round features folk tales from around the world, ...

Why Don't Spiders Get Stuck In Their Webs? from 2018-11-09T20:23

Why don't spiders stick to their own webs? How do spiders walk up walls and on ceilings without falling? Why do spiders have eight legs and eight eyes? How do they make webs? And silk? What's a ...

Why Do We Celebrate Halloween? from 2018-10-26T17:23

Why do we celebrate Halloween? Who created this holiday? Where do pumpkins come from and why do we carve them? This week we're answering your Halloween questions with a professor of all kinds of...

Living With A Brain Tumor: 11-Year-Old Twins Share Their Story from 2018-10-12T14:35

In today's episode we're not answering any questions. Instead, we're going to talk with 11-year-old twins Isabelle and Sophie Posner-Brown. When Sophie was two, she was diagnosed with a malignan...

Why Do People Get Cancer? from 2018-09-28T15:47

A cancer diagnosis can be scary, and for kids it can be bewildering. We've gotten some questions about cancer and in this episode we answer them with Dr. Donald Small, director of pediatric onco...

Kangaroos, Koalas, and Wombats! Why Don’t They Live In Cities? from 2018-09-14T19:25

We'll learn about the kinds of animals that live in urban environments and the challenges they face! One young Australian listener wants to know why wombats, kangaroos and koalas hang out in the...

Why Is Fire Orange? from 2018-08-31T20:07

We visit Fireman's Hall Museum in Philadelphia and get answers to a dozen questions about fire from Philly firefighter Lisa Desamour. She tells us what fire is, why matches work to start fires, ...

Why Do People Like Different Types Of Music? from 2018-08-17T15:30

In this episode of But Why, we hear music from Music for Sprouts' Mr. Chris, Drummer Seny Daffe, and cellist Emily Taubl and answer questions about strings, percussion, and the magic of...

Why Do Turtles Need Shells? Why Do Frogs Hop? from 2018-08-03T20:33

Why do turtles need shells? Why do turtles move so slowly? Why do frogs hop? Why are frogs green? Why are colorful frogs poisonous? Why do frogs inflate their throats? What some of the biggest t...

How Was The Universe Created? from 2018-07-20T16:02

But Why explores the Big Bang, earth, stars and black holes in this call-in episode that aired live on Vermont Public Radio. Astronomer John O'Meara tackles the big bang, the origins of the univ...

An Introduction To VPR's Timeline from 2018-07-06T14:01

In this episode we want to introduce you to another show made at VPR that we think you're really going to like. It's called Timeline and it explores the history of western music. Host James Stew...

Why Is Milk White? from 2018-06-22T16:30

'But Why' heads to the farm to answer a whole herd of animal questions: How do cows make milk? Why do cows moo? Why do some animals eat grass? Why do pigs have curly tails? Why do pigs have more...

Why Do Ants Bite? from 2018-06-08T12:57

Why do ants bite? Do both male and female ants have stingers? Do ants sleep? What do they do in the winter? In this episode we learn all about the fascinating world of ants with Brian Fisher , c...

Hoots And Screeches And Whistles, Part 2 from 2018-05-25T16:00

How fast can the fastest bird go (and what bird is it?) Why do birds have wings? How do they fly? Why are birds so colorful? And why do they sing at dawn and dusk? In the second part of our live...

Hoots And Screeches And Whistles, Part 1 from 2018-05-11T16:00

How do owls eat? Why are owls nocturnal and how do they see in the dark? How do owls swivel their heads all the way around? Why do birds move their heads back and forth when they walk? This epis...

Why Is Tape Sticky? from 2018-04-27T16:00

Why is tape sticky? How do erasers erase? We'll tackle arts and crafts in this episode, answering not just those two questions but learning how to make paint out of rocks and spit!! Vermont arti...

Podcast Extra: Heterotaxy and Hearts from 2018-04-20T16:00

After hearing our episode about hearts, 3yo Ethan Chandra, from Middlesex, NJ, wanted to share the story of his own heart. In this podcast extra, Ethan and his 5yo sister Zoe and their mother, A...

How Does Your Heart Work? from 2018-04-13T16:00

How does your heart keep you alive? How does it pump blood? Why is blood so important? Why do children have heart surgeries? Why is a baby's heartbeat faster before it's born? Why does blood rus...

Why Do We Laugh? from 2018-03-30T16:00

Why do we laugh? Why do you feel ticklish when someone tickles you? Why can't you tickle yourself? We learn about how humor develops with Gina Mireault of the Infant Laughter Project at Northern...

Why Do People Dream? from 2018-03-16T16:00

Why do people dream? Why do people have nightmares? How do dreams happen? Can people who are blind can see in their dreams? In this episode of But Why, we're answering dreamy questions with psyc...

Why Do We Need To Sleep? from 2018-03-02T17:00

Why do people need to sleep? How do we actually go to sleep? How does sleeping get rid of toxins in the brain? And how come when it's nighttime I don't want to go to sleep but when it's morning ...

What Are Olympic Medals Made Of? Why Does Every Country Have A Flag? from 2018-02-16T20:00

What are Olympic medals made of? Why does every country have a flag? The 2018 Winter Olympics are underway in PyeongChang, South Korea. We reached out to medal-winning Olympians Elana Meyers Tay...

How Do Fish See? How Do Fish Sleep? How Do Fish Breathe? from 2018-02-02T17:00

How did the first fish get into the ocean? How do fish breathe under water? If you put a fish's head underwater, but not its tail, would it survive? How do fish get diseases? How do fish see und...

Circle Round: 'The Lion's Whisker' from 2018-01-19T17:00

Instead of an episode of But Why, we're going to check out an episode of one of our other favorite podcasts. Circle Round is a storytelling show from WBUR, a public radio station in Boston. On C...

Are There Underground Cities? from 2018-01-05T17:00

In this episode, we answer a question from 5-year-old Wyatt in Los Angeles and learn about ancient underground cities in Turkey, the subterranean passageways of Montreal and the dug-out houses o...

Why Do Snowboards Look Like Skateboards? from 2017-12-22T17:00

We're marking the winter solstice with an episode all about snow! Why do snowboards look like skateboards? We get an answer from Burton Snowboards. How is snow made? Why is snow white? Why are a...

Why Is Money So Important? from 2017-12-08T17:00

In this episode of But Why we visit a credit union to learn what money is all about and Slate Money hosts Felix Salmon, Anna Szymanski and Jordan Weissman answer questions about why money plays ...

What Is The Biggest Number? from 2017-11-22T17:00

What's the biggest number? Who was the first mathematician? Why is seven a lucky number? Why is fifth grade math so hard? We're tackling something new: questions about math! With us to offer som...

Why Do We Have Daylight Saving Time? from 2017-11-10T17:00

Why do we have daylight saving time? And why are days longer in summer and shorter in winter? Daylight saving time is really just a trick. At least, so says Michael Downing, author of Spring For...

Looking For More Kids Podcasts? We've Got You Covered from 2017-10-27T16:00

On this special episode of But Why, we're going to introduce you to some of our kids podcast classmates. We've all gotten together to create one big podcast episode that gives you a little flavo...

Why Do Leaves Change Color In The Fall? from 2017-10-27T15:00

Why do leaves change color in the fall? Why are leaves green? Why don't leaves turn all of the colors of the rainbow? In this episode of But Why, we're talking about fall leaves, and how trees g...

Why Do People Die? Questions About Death from 2017-10-13T16:00

This episode of But Why is a serious one. We're talking about death. Why do people die when they get too old? What happens to people when they die? What does it feel like when you're dead? Our g...

Listen: Talking To Kids About Violence In the News from 2017-10-02T16:00

In the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history in Las Vegas on Sunday, we're re-releasing our special episode for parents. We speak with Dr. Robin Gurwitch about how to answer questi...

Is It Ever OK To Break A Rule? from 2017-09-29T16:00

Is it OK to do something that you were told not to do and then never tell anybody? We tackle that question from 10-year-old Finn from Seattle. Also in this episode: why do people make really bad...

How Do Hurricanes Form? from 2017-09-15T16:00

In the last couple of weeks, two big hurricanes have hit parts of the United States and Caribbean islands. In this episode we answer questions from kids who have been hearing the news and wonder...

How Is Glass Made? from 2017-09-01T16:00

How is glass made? Why does glass break? Why do bubbles pop? What's it like inside a bubble? We make everything clear in this episode! Our questions are from kids in Arizona, Brazil, California ...

How Do Bees Make Honey And Why Do They Sting? from 2017-08-18T16:00

Why do bees pollinate? How do bees make honey? Why do bees have stingers? Why do bees die when they sting you? What's the difference between a bee and a wasp? Does honey have healing properties?...

Why Are There So Many Different Languages? from 2017-08-04T16:00

In this episode, we're answering some of our frequently asked questions, the questions we hear a lot from all of you: why are there so many different languages? Why do we get hiccups? Why do our...

Why Do Flamingos Stand On One Leg? from 2017-07-21T16:00

We're answering ten questions as quickly as we can in this episode of But Why. Why do onions make you cry? How do hummingbirds hum? Why do flamingos stand on one leg? Do moths have veins in thei...

How Do You Make Bread? from 2017-07-07T16:00

How is bread made? Who made the first cake? Why shouldn't you touch raw eggs? On this episode of But Why, we're talking about baking. We get a lesson in bread making on a field trip to King Arth...

Why Are Moths Attracted To Light? from 2017-06-23T16:00

In this episode we're celebrating the official return of summer to the northern hemisphere by answering some summertime questions! How do fireflies glow and can they control how they blink? Why ...

How Are Babies Made? from 2017-06-09T20:19

How are babies made? We speak with Cory Silverberg, author of What Makes A Baby, for answers to questions about how we all come into the world.

Podcast Extra: Do Dogs Get Strep Throat? from 2017-05-26T20:15

We recently did an episode all about dogs. But after that came out, Nash, from Fort Dodge, IA, sent us a question wondering if dogs ever get strep throat. So we reached back out to Jessica Hekma...

Why Are Some Animals Pets And Others Are Lunch? from 2017-05-26T14:43

This episode may not be suitable for our youngest listeners or for particularly sensitive kids. We're discussing animal ethics with author Hal Herzog. In a follow up to our pets episodes, we loo...

Why Do Dogs Have Whiskers? from 2017-05-12T17:23

Why do dogs have whiskers? Why are dogs' eyesight black and white? Why do dogs have so many babies? Why do dogs have tails and we don't? Why are dogs thumbs so high on their paw? Why don't dogs ...

Why Do Cats Purr? from 2017-05-12T14:37

Why do cats purr? How do cats purr? Why can't we purr? Why do cats "talk" to people, but not other cats? Why do cats sharpen their claws? Are orange cats only male? Why do cats like milk and not...

Who Was The First Person? from 2017-04-28T17:50

Who was the first person? Paleoanthropologist Adam Van Arsdale answers one of the most frequent questions we get here at But Why. Also: how does evolution work? Was there a first of every living...

The Kratts Take Kids On Wild Animal Adventures from 2017-04-21T20:52

For 20 years, brothers Chris and Martin Kratt have been taking kids on adventures around the world through their TV shows, including Wild Kratts, Zoboomafoo, and Kratts' Creatures. They spent ma...

How Do Butterflies Fly? from 2017-04-14T17:21

How do butterflies fly? Why are butterflies called butterflies? How do airplanes fly? If gravity pulls everything down, how do planes and rockets get up in the air? Why do planes have engines an...

How Do Piano Keys Make Sound? from 2017-03-31T17:27

Did you know pianos have strings and hammers? We're learning all about instruments and how they use strings to make noises.

How Do Big Plants Grow From Such Small Seeds? from 2017-03-17T18:51

Why are there so many plants? How are seeds made? How does germination work? How can plants grow so big if they start from such a small seed? Why are flowers different colors? Why are plants and...

How Does NASA Drive The Mars Rover? from 2017-03-03T18:09

The discovery of seven new planets that could contain life has kids and adults pretty excited. We can't get to these planets yet but we do have tools to explore planets closer to home. In this e...

Are Yawns Really Contagious? from 2017-02-17T17:43

Why are yawns contagious? Why do we hiccup? How do teeth get loose? Why do your ears hurt when you drive up over the mountains? Why do we get dizzy when we spin? Why do people slip? Why do peopl...

Why Do Your Fingers And Toes Turn Wrinkly In The Tub? from 2017-02-03T15:58

Why do your fingers and toes turn wrinkly in the tub? Why are people ticklish? How do you get freckles? Why do some people have birthmarks? How do our hands feel things? Are humans animals? Why ...

How Do Popcorn Kernels Pop? from 2017-01-20T17:40

How do popcorn kernels pop? How do salmon know where to return to spawn? How do rabbits change colors? Why does television fry your brain? How do zippers zip stuff? Who was the fastest runner in...

Why Is The World Split Into Countries? from 2017-01-06T17:57

Why is all of the world split up into countries, states, cities and counties and more? Why can't we all just live as one big group? Which country has the least amount of people? We're talking ab...

How Is Chocolate Made? from 2016-12-23T14:49

How is chocolate made? Why can't we eat chocolate all the time? Why does chocolate melt? Why can't dogs eat chocolate? In this episode, we travel to Taza Chocolate in Somerville, Massachusetts t...

What's What With The Weather? from 2016-12-09T19:57

We're getting answers to all of your weather questions! Where does snow come from? Why do clouds stay up in the sky? How hot is lightning? What are thunderstorms? How is wind made? Those questio...

Thanksgiving Special: What Made The Turkey Trot To Boston? from 2016-11-22T21:32

On this special episode, we're going to listen to a story about how turkeys used to get from farms in Vermont to markets and dinner tables far away in Boston, a distance of a couple hundred mile...

Why Do We Like To Eat Certain Foods? from 2016-11-22T21:19

Why do we like to eat certain foods? Why do some people like to eat spicy food and some people don't like to eat vegetables? Why does pineapple hurt your mouth when you eat too much of it? Why d...

Ghosts And Fairies And Gnomes, Oh My! from 2016-11-11T20:56

Are ghosts real? Why do some cultures believe in fairies and gnomes and some don't? We'll learn about how beliefs in ghosts vary in different parts of the world with Justin McDaniel of Universit...

Why Do Geese Fly In The Shape Of A 'V'? from 2016-10-28T13:44

How do birds fly? Why do they flock? How do they not get shocked when they sit on telephone wires? The Bird Diva has our answers to all of your questions about our feathered friends. And why do ...

Who Invented The President? from 2016-10-14T15:04

Who invented the president? Which country had the first president? We answer presidential questions historical in nature with author Kenneth C. Davis . Also in the episode: why do leaves change ...

Why Is The Sea Salty? from 2016-09-30T17:51

We're heading to the coast of Maine to learn a little bit about why the sea is salty, how mussels get their shells and how model ships get in those glass bottles.

Download our learning g...

Why Is Soccer Called 'Soccer' Instead Of 'Football'? from 2016-09-16T18:51

7-year-old Kala wants to know why we say soccer in the United States, when the rest of the world calls the game "football." In this episode we hear from people who make their living in the game,...

How Long Does It Take For A Baby Cheetah To Go From Fluffball To Hunter? from 2016-09-02T16:02

How long does it take for baby animals to grow up? In this episode, we're learning about cheetahs and horses with two questions from siblings in Australia.

Do Bumblebees Have Hearts? from 2016-08-19T12:00

This episode is all about bugs! We've gotten a lot of questions from you about insects and other critters. So we're tackling them with the help of Jessica Honaker and Kristie Reddick, otherwise ...

Why Don't Bicycles Fall Over? from 2016-08-05T10:37

It's all about bikes in this episode of But Why? Why bicycles can stay up when you're riding them, but fall over when stopped. Olympian Lea Davison tells how to get started when riding, and we l...

How Does An Engine Work? from 2016-07-22T13:25

Seven-year old Sawyer wants to know: how does an engine work? We learn about chainsaws from Ashleigh Belrose, an instructor the Center for Technology in Essex, Vermont.

How Does It Feel When Your Family Changes? from 2016-07-08T12:00

Families grow and change. What does that feel like? We asked kids to tell us about their families, and we speak with author Amy Bloom about how love is not something that needs to be divided up,...

Why Is The Sky Blue? from 2016-06-24T12:00

Why is the sky blue? We get an answer from a science writer for NASA's Space Place. And what are Saturn's rings? Carolyn Porco of the Cassini Imaging Team explains.

Special Episode: How Do You Talk To Kids About Violence In The News? from 2016-06-13T12:00

This is a special episode just for parents. It's about how to address violence and tragedy in the news with your children. This podcast comes the day after and in response to the mass shooting i...

How Do You Make Paint? from 2016-06-10T12:00

In this episode of But Why we're learning how to make paint from an artist who wild-crafts his own pigments, and we're visiting the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum to learn about the value of ar...

Who Invented Words? from 2016-05-13T12:00

On But Why we let you ask the questions and we help find the answers. One of the things that many of you are curious about is language. How we speak, why we speak and what we speak.

Who Invented Words? from 2016-05-13T12:00

On But Why we let you ask the questions and we help find the answers. One of the things that many of you are curious about is language. How we speak, why we speak and what we speak.

How Does Music Move Us? from 2016-04-29T12:00

We're turning things around! Instead of you sending us the question, this time we're asking the question and looking to you for some answers. We wanted to explore why music moves us.

What Is The End Of The World Going To Feel Like? from 2016-04-15T12:00

This episode looks at a big question, a really big question. It's about the end of the world and what it might feel like. Parents: this episode is about asteroids and supernovas; some kids may f...

How Do Bears Sleep All Winter? from 2016-04-01T12:00

In our very first episode, we've got owls and turtles and bears, oh my! It's all about animals. But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids is a show led by you. Kids ask questions and we find ...

But Why: Intro For Adults from 2016-04-01T11:00

My name is Jane Lindholm and I'm hosting a new podcast for kids from Vermont Public Radio. We're calling the show But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids. And it's designed to be something ...